{"id":8679,"date":"2022-07-02T15:19:35","date_gmt":"2022-07-02T13:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8679"},"modified":"2025-11-30T11:49:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T10:49:30","slug":"crystal-palace-still-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/crystal-palace-still-there\/","title":{"rendered":"Crystal Palace – Still There"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Germany’s Crystal Palace (art rock) has been around for over 30 years. Their previous studio album, ‘Scattered Shards’, was released in 2018. On their new album ‘Still there’ from, all the tracks flow into each other non-stop. The concept is about a young woman, she had written on the inside walls of a lookout point, “Still alive, still there”. A few days later she committed suicide here. The album is based on this tragic event, but the story is fictional. A young English woman follows her dreams: for love she moves to Berlin. But the relationship breaks down and a depression follows. With suicidal thoughts, the goes to the tourist lookout. At the top she enjoys the view, beautiful memories come up, and she decides to go down again. On her way back, she writes, “Still there.” Her inner darkness returning, she goes back to the tower. Despite the crowds, no one notices her\u2026. she decides not to go down the steps\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lyrics of ‘126 Steps’ are spoken, the male voice perhaps causing confusion because the story is about a woman. After the quiet start of ‘Leaving This Land’, a touch of rock comes in. Vocals and music form a unit, both are slow. There are several (subtle) twists and turns. In ‘A Plan You Can’t Resist’ lighter elements are well interspersed with rock. The “string instruments” create a sober atmosphere. The vocals sound almost optimistic, vocals and music remain in harmony. After the melancholic ‘Winter’s End On Water’ follows ‘Dear Mother’ in which the woman writes a letter to her mother. For the first time you hear the voice of Roxy Furcht. Sampling of voices at the end of ‘Planned Obsolescence’ forms the transition to ‘Orange Popsicle Sky’. The beautiful stacked, wordless vocals are a bit sweet, but it suits the woman’s beautiful memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In ‘Shadows’, Yenz’s voice gets intense, the line, “Dear mother, I just lost the will to live” touches me. Also in ‘A Scream From The Wall’, parts of the (background) vocals are sung intensely. A little later, confidence is heard in the words “Still there”. Vocals and music of ‘These Stairs’ are initially less heartfelt than you might expect with the touching lyrics. The main character sounds quite relaxed, as if the decision is not an effort. Again, the cymbals are played beautifully gently. The instrumental piece is cool. During whispered words, the emotion changes. Although you don’t hear fear or sadness in ‘The Unquiet Window’ in vocals and music, some parts of the lyrics do make you think. Because you hear Roxy and Yenz in turns, you might think there are two people above. The music becomes a bit more chaotic at first, then integrative and moving. It gives me goosebumps, especially with Roxy’s words, “Just one small step\u2026”. This is complemented by long lasting tones, the music stays slow for a while. ‘Still There’ starts slowly, the first sentences are sung emotionally. In the music there is again a good contrast between high and low tones. The guitar playing becomes compelling. Finally, a calm and dreamy instrumental piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is almost impossible to find the right emotional balance for this album.
The woman’s inner struggles are discussed in a limited way. So the whole thing is not depressing, therefore it is not difficult to listen to. On the other hand, there could have been a little more depth in it at times. Some lyrics might be a little harder to understand. But deep respect for the concept, because I think suicide is still a taboo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(75\/100) (Progressive Promotion Records<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Social media<\/strong>:
Werbsite: Crystal Palace<\/a>
Facebook: Crystal Palace<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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